Eastern Airways teams up with Royal Caribbean

Eastern Airways teamed up with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to fly a group of north east England travel agents down to Southampton to explore one of the world’s largest cruise ships – Independence of the Seas.

The eight travel agents from Jesmond Travel, Travel Bureau, Dawson Sanderson, Hays Travel, Mainstreet USA and Thomas Cook, flew from Newcastle on the UK regional airline’s high frequency Southampton service. On arrival in Hampshire they transferred to the port of Southampton for a tour of the gigantic 160,000 tonne ship’s facilities.

Once aboard the 15 deck passenger ship, which can carry over 3,600 guests, the group had a chance to experience the ship’s own ice-skating rink Studio B, the 1,300 seat Alhambra Theatre, the Casino Royale, the Royal Promenade retail area, a selection of staterooms and taste a variety of international cuisine in the many onboard restaurants and dining facilities. Independence of the Seas is currently sailing from Southampton on various Mediterranean cruises. From next month she will head to the Caribbean for the Winter season, returning to Southampton in April 2009.

Eileen McBay, Eastern Airways’ sales manager, said: “It was important for the agents to sample our high quality, punctual service to Southampton. Our fully inclusive service really puts their cruise clients in the relaxed holiday spirit, especially as every passenger is offered complimentary drinks, snacks, and a bar service.

“Our convenient services are a good fit with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s upmarket product as customers can get their holiday off to a flying start before taking to the seas.”

“Eastern Airways offer a great service ideal for our customers coming from the north east where they get an efficient service before boarding our ship,” said Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. “With so many magnificent facilities and activities available once onboard our ships, we wanted the travel agents to gain a first hand insight into the delights that await their customers.”

Passengers taking domestic flights with Eastern Airways, which is consistently one of the UK’s most punctual scheduled airlines*, have access to its dedicated fast track security channels at Newcastle and Southampton airports, enabling them to bypass the queues at security search. Customers can also check-in and board their aircraft in just 30 minutes.

The airline offers three flights each weekday and a Sunday service from Newcastle to Southampton. There are no charges for hold baggage or choice of seat and Southampton is also served from Leeds Bradford and Aberdeen.

* Eastern Airways operates over 800 flights a week from 18 airports including Aberdeen, Angers Loire (France), Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Stavanger (Norway), Stornoway and Wick.